Communicating Science for Conservation

Magazine of Zoo Outreach Organization www.zoosprint.zooreach.org

ISSN 0971-6378 (Print); 0973-2543 (Online) Vol. XXXV, No. 3 March 2020 Communicating science for conservation

Vol. XXXV, No. 3, March 2020 ISSN 0971-6378 (Print); 0973-2543 (Online)

Contents

TidBITS Ladakh’s Himalayan Blue Sheep -- Kamakshi Lekshmanan, Pp. 1–3

Small Mammal Mail Additional records of Greater Short-nosed Fruit Bat Cynopterus sphinx from the Thar Desert, -- Ashok Purohit, Heera Ram Barad & Rakesh Kumawat, Pp. 4–7

Frog leg Sighting of threatened amphibians from the Avalanche Forest in Western Ghats, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu -- T. Siva, Pp. 8–9

Bugs R All Southern Spotted Hunter Hawkmoth: Theretra sumatrensis (Joicey & Kaye 1917): new record to -- Lam Norbu, Phurpa, Pema Tshering & Ugyen Dechen, Pp. 10–13

First report Libythea Fabricius, 1807 from Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Odisha, India -- Saurav Dwari & Amal Kumar Mondal, Pp. 14-17

APlantasia taxonomic note on Hubbardia heptaneuron in Shivamogga District, Karnataka -- H.S. Yogeesh Naik & Y.L. Krishnamurthy, Pp. 18-20

Bird-o-soar At the behest of rainfall: a case of heronry formation failure in Tamil Nadu -- D. Frank Sadrack Jabaraj & G.V. Gopi, Pp. 21–24

Mammal Tales Observation of ostracism in an albino Spotted Deer -- Dimpi A. Patel, Pp. 25–26

Report World Wetlands Day celebrated at Pallikaranai Marshlands, Chennai, TN -- Jessie Jeyakaran, P. 27

Celebration of World Wildlife Day at Tata Steel Zoological Park, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand -- Seema Rani, P. 28

Announcement International Otter Survival Fund WORLD OTTER DAY, 27 May 2020

Cover photo by Kamakshi Lekshmanan. TidTidBITSBITS Ladakh’s Himalayan Blue Sheep

While driving through the wintery white wonderland of Leh, through the mist hopped a little Himalayan Bharal Pseudois nayaur. The first glimpse of the caprid, over sheets of ice, was a moment indeed.

The slate grey and the blue sheen skin shimmered in the morning light. Commonly called the Blue Sheep, it is medium-sized one, grows to 69-91 cm tall; males are slightly larger than the female.

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Bharals are found together in families. Their typical day switches between graze, stroll, and laze. They are incredibly active during the daytime, and towards the dusk, they generally disappear to rest.

They graze on grasses, however, occasionally browse on shrubs and herbs too. Though they seem friendly from a distance, they do shy away. Highly camouflaged, they make use of the rocks to hide away and freeze.

Zoo’sZoo’s Print Print Vol.Vol. 35 34| No. | No. 3 5 22 TidTidBITSBITS Beginning November until January is the rut season when the males rub their horns on or shrubs. The males undergo physiological changes and extend a variety of stunts to grab the attention of female bharals. The young ones arrive during the months of June/July.

Snow Leopards are their only threat. Most monasteries in the highland protect and conserve the Bharals found around them.

by Kamakshi Lekshmanan, Coimbatore by Kamakshi Lekshmanan, Coimbatore [email protected] [email protected]

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Additional records of Greater Short-nosed Fruit Bat Cynopterus sphinx from the Thar Desert, India

Short-nosed Fruit Bat roosts: A—Roost at Junagarh | B—Junagarh fort of Bikaner | C—Roost at Mansingh fort | D—Jalore fort. © Rakesh Kumawat.

The Greater Short-nosed Fruit Bat features as the second finger with a claw, Cynopterus sphinx (Vahl, 1797) (Mammalia: small wingspread (below 600mm), visible Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) is one among tail and four teeth in upper molar series and the 14 species of old world fruit bats in the five in lower (Sinha 1980). Indian subcontinent. It is found in a variety of roosts, tents, under , lumped Earlier, the western part of the subcontinent leaves, stems, cavities of barks, aerial roots was represented by a few localities as and humanmade abandoned structures a single record from Malir, Karachi and (Brosset 1962) feeding on more than 30 “ Smasta” in ; Danta, species of . It is listed as Least Vedtial in Anand and Silvassa in Surat Concern on the IUCN Red List (Bates et al. District of Gujarat State; Bundi, Banswara 2008). This Fruit Bat has typical taxonomic and Jhalawar of Rajasthan State.

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Map showing old reported sites (Bundi, Banswara, Jhalawar, Bharatpur, Sirohi, Pratapgarh, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Barmer & Bhinmal Jalore) and new locality (Mangarh fort, Jalore and Junagarh fort, Bikaner).

Recent studies on bat diversity and distribution and status of chiropteran fauna distribution revealed the anomalous pattern in the region was studied (Sinha 1980; of their occurrence and distribution. With Purohit & Vyas, 2009; Singh et al. 2014). the effect of eco-transformation in the Now, the IGNP canal covers more than 12 desert due to exposure to Indira Gandhi districts which gives space for work on Nahar Pariyogna (IGNP), agroforestry Chiroptera demographic and ecological practices have risen resulting in the studies to be performed and bridge the gap flourishing of fruit plants in the region. This in the research conducted after 1980. change has led to the emergence of fruit bats in this region proportionally. Fruit In this article, we have added the new Bats are reported for the first time from the distinct localities of Short-nosed Fruit Bats Thar Desert of Bikaner District of Rajasthan in the western Indian Thar desert. This State. record is the second from Mansingh Fort after Bhinmal in Jalore District, the First Prakash (1963) explored the Thar Desert being from Junagarh Fort in Bikaner. and the western part of Rajasthan and updated the status of bats. After the We did not collect the specimens. Instead, implementation of IGNP canal, the we captured and released the individuals comprehensive knowledge of ecology, with the help of mist nets after the

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Table 1. Morphometric measurements of the Short-nosed Fruit Bat. Sigh #- Specimen studied from Jalore Fort (n=3), and *- Specimen studied from Bikaner Fort (n=1). Abbreviations used: HB- Head and Body length, T-Tail length, FA- Forearm, HF- Hindfoot, E- Ear, WS- Wingspan, TIB- Tibia length. Sign (~)means no data.

Locality Geo HB T FA HF E WS TbL Date Refer- Location ence Indian ~ 76-113 4.5-19 64-79 12.6-18 17.5-24 309-436 ~ 1997 Bates & Sub- Harrison continent (1997) Bhinmal 25.0020N; ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 06-02-2003 Dookia 72.2620E (2004) Lathi 27.0360N; 98-108 15-18 68-75 14-17 19-23 340-378 32-35 08-10-2003 Senacha 71.5160E et al. (2006) Tinwari 26.4610N; 98-108 15-18 68-75 14-17 19-23 340-378 32-35 08-10-2003 Senacha 72.9210E et al. (2006) Mansingh 25.3500N; 102 15 73 17 20 340 33 25-02-2009 This Fort 72.6200E study (MFJ1#) Mansingh 25.3500N; 101 15 70 15 21 343 35 25-02-2009 This Fort 72.6200E study (MFJ2#) Mansingh 25.3500N; 108 16 72 17 22 350 36 25-02-2009 This Fort, 72.6200E study (MFJ3#) Junagarh 28.0220N; 106 15 72 16 22 362 37 30-03-2018 This Fort, 73.3160E study (JFB1*)

measurement analysis. In Mansingh fort, Mansingh fort of Jalore District (25.3500 we examined n=3 individuals and n=1 N; 72.6200 E) and the other roost of 70–75 was captured in Junagarh fort. Later, we members located in Junagarh Fort (28.0220 compared the morphological pattern and N; 73.3160 E) of Bikaner District on 30 relevant taxonomical data to the available March 2018. Both records are taken literature ( Dookia 2004; Senacha et al. from isolated old dark places of historical 2006; Srinivasulu et al. 2013) (Table 1). forts. The ecology of the Jalore District is influenced by semi-arid urban terrain, while Observation Bikaner is too dry and has arid environment During our survey in the Thar desert with dunes topology. of Rajasthan, we recorded two diurnal roosts of the Short-nosed Fruit Bats on In Jalore, the Short-nosed Fruit Bats 25 February 2009. One roost seen at observed roosting in a semi-dark section of

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an old fort along with two micro chiropteran Sinha, Y.P. (1980). The bats of Rajasthan: and zoogeography. Record of the species Rhinopoma microphyllum kinneari Zoological Survey of India 76:7–63. and Rhinopoma hardwickii. A similar Srinivasulu, C., Srinivasulu, B. & Sinha, Y.P. microhabitat was observed in Junagarh (2013). Chiropteran fauna of Rajasthan: taxonomy, distribution, and status, pp. 505–548. In: Sharma, Fort at Bikaner. Five consecutive B.K. S. Kulshrestha & A.S. Rahmani (eds.). chambers of the old fort of Jalore were Faunal Heritage of Rajasthan, India: General Background and Ecology of Vertebrates. Springer filled up with the bats mainly of Rhinopoma Science+Business Media New York., USA. microphyllum kinneari whereas one Acknowledgement: The study was financially supported chamber was a roost of Cynopterus. by CSIR- New Delhi SRF (09/098(0132)/17/EMR-I).

References Bates, P.J.J. & D.L. Harrison (1997). Bates of Indian Subcontinent. Harrison Zoological Museum 258.

Bates, P., S. Bumrungsri, S. Molur & C. Srinivasulu (2008). Cynopterus sphinx. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008: e.T6106A12427966. Downloaded on 12 November 2019.

Brosset, A. (1962). The bats of central and western India. Part I. Journal of Bombay Natural History Society 59: 1–57.

Dookia, S. (2004). Occurrence of the Short-nosed Fruit Bat (Cynopterus sphinx Vahl, 1797) in the Thar desert of Rajasthan. Zoo Print Journal 19(9):1629. https://doi.org/10.11609/JoTT.ZPJ.1137.1629

Prakash, I. (1963). Taxonomic and biological observations on the bats of the Rajasthan desert. Record of Indian Museum 59 (1–2): 149–170.

Purohit, A. & K.B. Vyas (2009). Eco-status of chiropteran fauna in and around Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner of Great Indian Desert. In: Sivaperuman, C., Baqri, Q.H., Ramaswamy, G. & Naseema, M. (Eds.). Faunal Resources in Great Indian Desert: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, Germany, 137–155. Ashok Purohit1, Heera Ram Barad2 & 3 Senacha, K.R., K.B. Vyas & A. Purohit (2006). New Rakesh Kumawat

record of short-nosed fruit bat Cynopterus sphinx 1-3 Department of Zoology, Jai Narain Vyas University, (Vahl,1797) from Thar desert , Rajasthan. Zoo’s Print Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342001, India 3 Journal 21(10):2419–2420. https://doi.org/10.11609/ Email: [email protected] (corresponding author) JoTT.ZPJ.1428.2419-20

Singh, P., M.K. Yadav, J. Solanki & O.M. Chahula (2014). Dynamics of Chiroptera population in and Citation: Purohit, A., H.R. Barad & R. Kumawat around Bikaner city of the Thar Desert, India. Muzeul (2020). Additional records of Greater Short-nosed Olteniei Craiova. Oltenia. Studii şi comunicări. Fruit Bat Cynopterus sphinx from the Thar Desert, Ştiinţele Naturii. Tom 30(2): 167–174. India. Small Mammal Mail #426, In: Zoo’s Print 35(3): 04–07.

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Sighting of threatened amphibians from the Avalanche Forest in Western Ghats, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu

In India, approximately 410 species of amphibians are found, (www. indianamphibians.org), among which 239 are reported from the Western Ghats (Dinesh et al 2017). Avalanche, is an important tourist place in the Nilgiri District situated 25km from Ooty; it comprises of the shola-grassland complex, unique to the Western Ghats. The elevation range varies between 1800m and Raorchestes signatus. 2600m with the temperature ranging between vegetation. The dorsal colour of the bush 5 and 25 degree Celsius. The Avalanche frog varies from light-grey to black. The forest and its surrounding areas get around eye colour is black with white stripes. This 5,000mm of rainfall annually. In this, area species is restricted to the Nilgiri Hills of the many endemic faunal species are recorded. southern Western Ghats. It is a highland Sighting of three threatened amphibians: species occurring up to 2,000m (Bossuyt & 1. Star-eyed Bush Frog – Raorchestes Dubois 2001). signatus (Boulenger, 1882) Raorchestes signatus a bush frog was 2. Nilgiri Bush Frog – Raorchestes tinniens observed during the field visit on 7 August (Jerdon, 1853) 2014. This species was sighted nearby The Nilgiri Bush Frog (Raorchestes tinniens) is Avalanche forest department guest house known from the Nilgiri Hills and surroundings. (11.2993 “N 76.5922 “E) and the surrounding It is a terrestrial species found on the ground area that is fully covered by the shola or under the vegetation. This species is yellowish-brown, with black eyes. Ventral side light whitish-yellow with dark spots. This species was sighted on 16 August 2014 near Upper Bhavani dam area with the surrounding area fully covered by the grassland and small patches of shola vegetation (11.2676 “N 76.5533 “E). The Bush frog has also been sighted by others near Emerald Valley (1,975m; Princy et al. 2017) and (2,200– Study area. 2,250 m) of Nilgiri District. The landscape is

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reallocated to the new genus Ghatixalus and is considered to be the sister species of Ghatixalus asterops (Biju et al. 2008). The species can be locally abundant, although it is not uniformly common throughout its range. Loss of habitat and human interference are the two most common threats facing amphibians in India. Raorchestes tinniens.

covered by different types of vegetation such References as, shola forest, grassland, wattle plantation Biju, S.D., K. Roelants & F. Bossuyt (2008). Phylogenetic position of the montane frog Polypedates variabilis etc. According to Kumar et al. (2017) and Jerdon, 1853 (Anura: Rhacophoridae), and description of a related species. Organisms, Diversity & Evolution 8: Princy et al. (2017), R. tinniens is the main 267–276. diet for predators like Ahaetulla perroteti and Biju, S.D. & F. Bossuyt (2009). Systematics and phylogeny of Philautus Gistel, 1848 (Anura, Rhacophoridae) in the Salea horsfieldii because of its smaller size Western Ghats of India, with descriptions of 12 new (adult male 20.5mm and female 26.8 mm; species. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 155: 374-444. Biju & Bossuyt 2009). This species is listed Bossuyt, F. & A. Dubois (2001). A review of the frog as Endangered due to predation and several genus Philautus Gistel, 1848 (Amphibia, Anura, Ranidae, Rhacophorinae). Zeylanica. 1–112. anthropogenic activities. Dinesh, K.P., C. Radhakrishnan, B.H. Channakeshavamurthy, P. Deepak & N.U. Kulkarni (2017). A Checklist of Amphibians of India with IUCN 3. Green Tree Frog – Ghatixalus variabilis conservation status (updated till September 2017) available at http://zsi.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/file/ (Jerdon, 1853) Checklist/Amphibia_Checklist_2017.pdf (online only). This is a medium-sized frog we sighted Kumar, P.S., J.L. Princy & P. Kannan (2017). on 20 April 2015 near Upper Bhavani dam Opportunistic feeding behaviour of an endemic lizard Salea horsfieldii. Reptile Rap #167, In: Zoo’s Print 32(3): surrounded by the grassland and small 20–21. patches of shola vegetation (11.2676 “N Princy, J.L., P. Kannan, P.S. Kumar & A. Samson (2017). Predation of Raorchestes tinniens by Ahaetulla perroteti in 76.5533 “E). Dorsally brownish-green with Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India. Reptile Rap #169 In: Zoo’s Print. 32(4): 15–18. irregular dark green or brownish blotches, boreal and tympanic region dark grey with Acknowledgement: I am thankful to Dr. Goldin Quadros, brown spots, iris brownish, encircled by Principal Scientist, Wetland Ecology Division, Sálim Ali a golden ring. This taxon was recently Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), for his advice in improving this manuscript and constant encouragement. I thank FERAL (Foundation for Ecological Research Advocacy and Learning) for providing facilities of the research work.

T. Siva Research Department of Zoology, Nehru Memorial College, Puthanampatti, Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu 621007, India.

Citation: Siva, T. (2020). Sighting of threatened amphibians from the Avalanche Forest in Western Ghats, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu. frog leg #139. In: Zoo’s Ghatixalus variabilis. Print 35(3): 08–09.

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Southern Spotted Hunter Hawkmoth: Theretra sumatrensis (Joicey & Kaye 1917): new record to Bhutan

Theretra sumatrensis

The Southern Spotted Hunter Hawkmoth pearlescent or violet. When present, Theretra Theretra sumatrensis described from sumatrensis bears a weakly marked dotted Indonesia, Sumatra Langkat, Balei Gadjah line on fourth transverse line of the anterior by Joicey, J.J. & Kaye, W. J., in 1917 as wings (Vaglia et al. 2010). Cechenena sumatrensis. The species is quite similar or closely related to Theretra Theretra sumatrensis is a medium size boisduvalii (Bugnion 1839) and Theretra belonging to sub tribe Choerocampina, tribe rhesus (Boisduvali, 1875) (Sondhi et al. Macroglossini, subfamily Macroglossinae 2017). Unlike Theretra boisduvalii which is and family (Kitching 2019). It green, Theretra sumatrensis is brown gray, occurs from north east India (, Assam,

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Map showing Theretra sumatrensis sighted location in Bhutan

Meghalaya), south west China (Yunnan, blackish line as far as vein 4, where it is set Xizang), central , northern Thailand, back and continued thence to tornus. Hind Laos, Vietnam, Peninsular Malaysia, Java, wing above black, paler at the margins and Sumatra, the Western Lesser Sundas, and with a yellow patch becoming pointed distally Borneo (Pittaway & Kitching 2019, Sondhi et at anal angle. The melanic forms of Theretra al. 2019, Sondhi et al. 2017) sumatrensis (form Mercedes) have much darker colouration (Holloway 1987), the outer Description margin of the anterior wing is almost black, As stated in Joicey & Kaye (1917), T. and an anchor of the abdomen is covered sumatrensis has forewing with dull greyish by two dark pink scales (Eitschberger 2002). brown, with an oblique black transverse line In India, the recorded flight time forTheretra beyond the cell. A second parallel from tip sumatrensis was in April and October (Sondhi to inner margin, and two further less distinct et al. 2019). The early stage, biology and lines ending in apex but radiating out towards its food plants are unknown for this species tornus. A black mark at base. Beneath, black (Pittaway & Kitching 2019). in basal half; reddish irrorated with small black spots in the distal area. Outer margin In this present paper, we report the sighting greyish brown terminated by an oblique of the Theretra sumatrensis on the morning of

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24th May 2019 at around 9:40 hour, the moth Previous studies on the Sphingidae fauna was found sitting on the of Colocasia of the India have reported the presence of spp. near a very sacrosanct religious site, this species, from the northeast states of the Gomphukora under Tongzhang block India particularly, Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim (27.4250N & 91.5630E; 800m) in Trashiyangtse and (Sondhi et al. 2019). District, Eastern Bhutan. The vegetation in The most recent records of two Sphingidae the surrounding environment was dominated from eastern Bhutan; Clanidopsis exusta by Chirpine (Pinus roxburghii) forest and (Butler 1875) (Jamtsho & Irungbam 2019) and undergrowth with profuse lemon grass zenzeroides zenzeroides Moore, 1872 (Cymbopogon spp.). The moth was identified (Irungbam & Norbu 2019) suggest the area by Jatishwor Singh Irungbam, University of is lacking rigorous taxonomic survey. Thus, South Bohemia, Czech Republic. Later the the present sighting of Theretra sumatrensis status of a new record and range extension in Trashiyangtse District is significant. It is of the species was confirmed by Dr. Jean the first ever confirmed record of the species Haxaire, Museum National d’Histoire from Bhutan which take country record 98 Naturelle (France) on 25, May 2019. species of Sphingidae. Therefore, it would be fascinating to continue further surveys in Discussion all the parts of the country to know the exact Earlier publications on the Sphingidae numbers of Sphingidae present in Bhutan. fauna of Bhutan have not recorded this species from Bhutan. Dudgeon (1898) who

conducted research on of Sikkim and References

Bhutan too did not recorded this species Dierl, W. (1975). Ergebnisse der Bhutan-Expedition 1972 from Bhutan. Dierl (1975) reported the des Naturhistorischen Museums in Basel, einige familien der “ bombycomorphen” Lepidopteria. Entomologica presence of 10 species of Sphingidae from Basiliensia 1: 119-134 (in German). eastern Bhutan but not Theretra sumatrensis. Dudgeon, G.C. (1898). A catalogue of the Heterocera of Sikkim and Bhutan, part 2. Journal of Bombay Natural History Society 11(2): 406-419. Recent studies on Sphingidae of Bhutan by Irungbam & Kitching (2014) reported Eitschberger U. (2002). Theretra Mercedes spec.nov., enine neue Sphingidae von Sumbawa (, 27 species from Tsirang district; Geilis & Sphinigidae). Neue Entomologische Nachrichten, 23: 55- Wangdi (2017) reported 65 species from 63. (In German) Bhutan including Trashiyangtse, eastern Gielis, C. & K. Wangdi (2017). A field guide to the common moths of Bhutan. National Biodiversity Centre Bhutan; and Irungbum & Irungbum (2019) (NBC), Thimphu, Bhutan, 100pp. reported 93 species from Bhutan but Theretra Holloway, J.D. (1987). The Moths of Borneo. Part 3. sumatrensis was not recorded from Bhutan. Families Lasiocampidae, Eupterotidae, Bombycidae,

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Brahmaeidae, Saturniidae, Sphingidae. Southern Sdn. et du Sud-est (Lepidoptera, Sphingidae). The European Bhd., Kuala Lumpur, 199 pp., 163 figs., 20 pls. Entomologist, 3(1): 41-77. (In French)

Irungbam, J.S. & I.J. Kitching (2014). A first record of Clanis hyperion Cadiou & kitching, 1990 (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) in Bhutan, and a preliminary checklist Acknowledgments: The authors are thankful to Dr. of the hawkmoths of Mendrelgang, Bhutan. Journal Jean Haxaire, Museum National d’ Histoire Naturelle, of Threatened Taxa 6(1): 5386-5388. https://doi. France and Mr Jatishwor Signh Irungbam, Ph.D Scholar, org/10.11609/JoTT.o3399.5386-8 University of South Bohemia, Czech Republic for confirming the species and status of a new record to Irungbam, J.S. & M.S. Irungbam (2019). Contributions to Bhutan. the knowledge of moths of Bombycoidea Latreille, 1802 (Lepidoptera: Heterocera) of Bhutan with new records. Journal of Threatened Taxa 11(8): 14022-14050. https:// doi.org/10.11609/JoTT.4358.11.8.14022-14050

Irungbam, J.S. & L. Norbu (2019). A new country record of Langia zenzeroides zenzeroides Moore, 1872 (Sphingidae: Smerinthinae) from Bhutan. Journal of Bombay Natural History Society 116: 22-24.

Jamtsho, K. & J.S. Irungbam (2019). White-streaked Hawkmoth: report on the range extension of Clanidosis exusta (Butler, 1875) from Bhutan. Bugs R All #170. In: Zoo’s Print 34(3): 19-23.

Joicey, J.J. & W.J. Kaye (1917). New Species and forms

of Sphingidae. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, 1 2 3 (Series 8), 20(118): 305-309. Lam Norbu , Phurpa , Pema Tshering & Ugyen Dechen4 Kitching, I.J. (2019). Sphingidae. Sphingidae Taxonomic 1,4 Trashigang Territorial Forest Division, Department of Inventory, http://sphingidae.myspecies.info/, accessed on Forest and Park Services, Ministry of Agriculture and 26 February 2020. Forest, Trashiyangtse, Bhutan 42001. 2 Samdrup Jongkhar Territorial Forest Division, Department Pittaway, A.R. & I.J. Kitching (2019). Sphingidae of the of Forest and Park Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Eastern Palaearctic (including Siberia, the Rusain Far Forest, Samdrup Jongkhar District, Bhutan 42001. 3 East, Mongolia, China, , the Korean Peninsula and Ranjung Central School, Ministry of Education, Japan) http://tpittaway.tripod.com/china/china. htm. (Site Trashigang District, Bhutan 42001. Email: [email protected] (corresponding author) accessed: August 30, 2019).

Sondhi, Y., I.J. Kitching, D.N. Basu, & K. Kunte (2017). A new species of Theretra Hubner (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) Citation: Norbu, L., Phurpa, P. Tshering & U. Dechen from the southern Western Ghats, India. Zootaxa 4323 (2): (2020). Southern Spotted Hunter Hawkmoth: 185-196. Theretra sumatrensis (Joicey & Kaye, 1917): new record of Bhutan. Bugs R All #183, In: Zoo’s Print Sondhi, Y., S. Sondhi, P. Roy & I.J. Kitching (2019). 35(3): 10–13. Theretra sumatrensis Joicey & Kaye, 1917. In Sondhi, S., Sondhi, Y. & Roy, P. (Eds.), Moths of India, Vol. 2. Indian Foundation for butterflies. Available from: http://www. Bugs R All is a newsletter of the Invertebrate mothsofindia.org/sp/355310/Theretra-sumatrensis (Site Conservation and Information Network of South Asia (ICINSA) accessed: September 4, 2019). edited by B.A. Daniel, published with the financial support of Zoological Society of London. Vaglia, T., J. Haxaire, I.J.Kitching & M. Liyous (2010). For communication, Email: [email protected] Contribution, la connaissance des Theretra Hubner, 1819, des complexes clotho (Drury, 1773), boisduvalii (Bugnion, 1839) et rhesus (Boisduval, (1876) d’ Asie continentale

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First report Libythea Fabricius, 1807 from Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Odisha, India

Underwing view of Libythea Fabricius, 1807

Libythea Fabricius, 1807, commonly known markings of the upperside. The upperside as beak is characterized by enormous of their wings is brown with some tawny or prolongation of the palpi giving an whitish markings, the variations in which appearance of a beak in front of head has distinguishable one from the other of their small and angular fore wings (Sharma et al., species. The underside is clouded and 2013). Genus Libythea is represented by striated with similar protective colouration, 12 species throughout the world (Varshney, varying in tone in each species but uniform 2010). The different species of Libythea are in style throughout the genus (Sharma et al., generally uniform in size, in their peculiar and 2013). Genus Libythea Fabricius, 1807 was strong falcated outline, and in colouration previously recorded from places ranging from except the specific distinction in the Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh

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et al., 2006; Nair, 2007; Sethy and Jena, 2009; Payra et al., 2016).

Material Methods and Study Area Sample was photographed through opportunistic survey Method (Williams, 2015) at some stage in documentation of butterflies of Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Odisha, India. On the day of 2019 (03.06.19) at around 02.24 hrs (2:24:32 AM) during the field of survey we photographed one individuals of dull greyish brown butterfly on the ground during puddling, which is situated Devkund area of Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Odisha Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Odisha, India. (extends between 21.7059970N latitude and 86.4505320E longitude). Information and foothills from 400m to 3000m (Singh, on this species is based on observation 2011) while Gupta and Majumdar, 2012 claims to have sighted this genus in the areas of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, , Meghalaya, Sikkim and South India. Kehimkar, 2016 recorded it in the North East India, Southern India upto Maharastra and Karnataka southwards, Northern part of West Bengal and Western Himalaya whereas Smetacek, 2017 reported its presence in the forests of ascending Himalaya to more than 2400m. There is only one record of this genus namely Common beak (Libythea lepita) from Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary, which is situated at the farthest western part of Odisha (Palei and Rath, 2014). But Libythea Place of record Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Fabricius, 1807 has never been recorded Odisha, India through Google map with Latitude from Similipal Biosphere Reserve so far (Sahu and longitude.

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from 02.05 PM to 02.54 PM. Specimen ascending Himalaya to more than 2400m was photographed for further identification (Smetacek, 2017). There is only one record process with the help of High Resolution of from Odisha. This is Common beak Digital Camera (Cannon 550 D with EOS (Libythea lepita) from Sunabeda Wildlife 18- 55mm lens) and the identification was Sanctuary, which is situated far western identified and confirmed by several field part Odisha (Palei and Rath, 2014). It is guide books (Singh, 2011; Kehimkar, 2016; the second record of Libythea Fabricius, Smetacek, 2017). 1807 from the state Odisha. But Libythea Fabricius, 1807 never recorded from Similipal Results Biosphere Reserve (Sahu et al., 2006; Nair, Description 2007; Sethy and Jena, 2009; Payra et al., Prolonged palpi giving an appearance of a 2016). beak in front of head, dull greyish brown in Underwing view with small and angular fore Habitat structure of new locality wings and crenulated hindwings. Similipal Biosphere reserve is situated in Mayurbhanj District of the State Odisha. The Systematic position of Libythea Fabricius, Similipal Biosphere Reserve (Latitude 20⁰10′ 1807 to 22⁰12′ N and Longitude 85⁰5′ to 86⁰′ E) Class: Insecta with an area of 5569 km2 is located in the Order: Lepidoptera central part of Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. Family: Nymphalidae The two neighboring states West Bengal, Sub Family: Libytheinae Jharkhand and two neighboring districts Genus: Libythea Fabricius, 1807 Balasore, Keonjhar surrounded this biosphere reserve its North-East, North-West, East and Discussion South-West border respectively. It falls under Early distributional range the biotic province of Chotanagpur plateau. Libythea Fabricius, 1807 previously recorded The altitude of the Biosphere Reserve from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal varies from 40 m to 1200 m. Humidity also Pradesh (Singh, 2011); Arunachal Pradesh, varies from 70% to 100%. It experienced Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, the tropical climate with temperatures Sikkim, South India (Gupta and Majumdar, ranging from 5⁰-15⁰C in winter and 30⁰- 2012); North East India, Southern India upto 45⁰C in summer. The annual rainfall is about Maharastra and Karnataka southwards, 2200mm. Similipal with its unique and Northern part of West Bengal, Western diverse forest type such as dry deciduous, Himalaya (Kehimkar, 2016); forest of moist deciduous and semi evergreen forest

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harbours rich and endemic faunal diversity. Williams, M.C. (2015). Rearing and breeding techniques. In: Practical Guide to the Study of Lepidoptera in Africa. The specimen was photographed at Devkund Lepidopterist’s Society of Africa, 27pp. of Mayurbhanj District. The place of record Acknowledgements: We would want to convey our 0 0 lays 21.705997 N latitude and 86.450532 E gratitude to the honorable Dr. Sanjukta Mondal (Parui), HOD and Associate Professor, WBES, Post Graduate longitude. The place is sixty km from Department of Zoology, Lady Brabourne College, Baripada and eighty five km from Balasore. Kolkata-700017, West Bengal, India and Purnendu Roy for their identification help and other valuable suggestions. We are thankful to Subhadeep Chowdhury, Kalyan Mukherjee, Rajib Dey and Anirban Ray for their References continuous help during field survey and in some other purposes. We also very much thankful to UGC for their Gupta, I.J. & M. Majumdar. (2012). Handbook on laboratory support in the form DRS-SAP (I & II) [2011- Diversity in some of the Indian Butterflies (Insecta: 2016 & 2018-2022] in our work. We would like to express Lepidoptera). Zoological Survey of India. 1- 310. my thanks to all research scholars of our laboratory. Kehimkar, I. (2016). BNHS Field Guides Butterflies of India. Bombay Natural History Society. X+505.

Nair, M.V. (2007). Butterflies of Similipal Tiger Reserve: A preliminary study on species diversity, species composition and habitat preference. e-planet, 5(1):76-81.

Palei, N.C. & B.P. Rath. (2014). Butterflies Diversity of Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha, India. Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 2014; 2 (2): 39-44.

Payra, A., G.N. Das, B. Boruah, S.K. Dash, U.P. Das & J. Sethy. (2016). Butterfly Diversity in Two Selected Fringe Area of Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Odisha, India, With Notes on Some Important Sightings. Journal of Wildlife Research.4 (2) 17- 25. 1 2 Sahu, H.K., J. Jena, S.K. Dutta & S.D. Rout. (2006). Saurav Dwari & Amal Kumar Mondal 1,2 Common butterflies of Chahala Range of Similipal tiger Taxonomy, Biosystematics and Molecular Reserve, Odisha, India. Indian Forester 132(10): 1363- Taxonomy Laboratory, UGC-DRS-SAP Department, 1366. Department of Botany & , Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, West Bengal 721102, India. Sethy, J. & J. Jena. (2009). Notes on Butterflies of Emails: [email protected] (corresponding author), Gudgudia range of Similipal Tiger Reserve, Orissa, India. [email protected] Indian Forester, 135(10): 1442-1445.

Sharma, N., P. Kumar & P.C. Tak (2013). Sighting of Citation: Dwari, S. & A.K. Mondal (2020). First report Libythea myrrha Godart (Lepidoptera: Libytheidae) in Libythea Fabricius, 1807 from Similipal Biosphere Punjab, India, Record of the Zoological Survey of India: Reserve, Odisha, India. Bugs R All #184, In: Zoo’s 113(Part-3): 105-107. Print 35(3): 14–17. Singh, A.P. (2011). Butterflies of India. Om Book International. x+183pp. Bugs R All is a newsletter of the Invertebrate Smetacek, P. (2017). A Naturalist’s Guide to the Conservation and Information Network of South Asia (ICINSA) Butterflies of India, Pakistan, , Bhutan, Bangladesh edited by B.A. Daniel, published with the financial support of and Sri Lanka. John Beaufoy Publishing. X+176. Zoological Society of London. For communication, Email: [email protected] Varshney, R.K. (2010). Bharat Ki Titliyan (Butterflies of India) [in Hindi]: Published by the Director, Zool. Surv. India, Kolkata. i-xii, 1-195.

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A taxonomic note on Hubbardia heptaneuron in Shivamogga District, Karnataka

Hubbardia heptaneuron, an in 16 different Ghats at 108 India. During our recent endangered grass belongs locations of Maharashtra. field survey, we collected H. to the sub family of Pooideae Inaddition to this, they were heptaneuron from different (Hubbardiae tribe) (Hubbard re-introduced near the locations of Agumbe region 1960). H. heptaneuron was sunset point of Agumbe, of the central Western Ghats distinguished from other Karnataka (13.5810N & of Karnataka, India. species by its partly trailing 75.1670E). H. heptaneuron and then pendulous habit. was distributed in Study Area It measures about 3–16 Gerusoppa falls, Sharavathi Agumbe is home for several cm long, delicate, culms Wildlife Sanctuary, Shimogga endemic angiosperms creeping below, rooting District and Arsenagundi (13.050N & 75.10E) located at lower nodes, awnless, falls, Mookambika Wildlife in the Shivamogga District consisting 3 stamens in Sanctuary, Udupi District in the Malnad region of flower. The other species is H. diandra that differs from (Singh et al. 2015). In Karnataka, west coast H. heptaneuron by its striking Maharashtra, this species division of south India. tubercle-based trichomes was located on Tillari Ghats Agumbe is declared as one on the glumes, the flower of the Western Ghats, of the UNESCO’s World has 2 stamens (Chandore et al. 2012). H. heptaneuron was found in moist rocks in shady places (Potdar 2003). H. heptaneuron samples were collected by Leonard John Sedgwick (1883-1925) in 1919 from Gerusoppa falls of Karnataka. Later it was clearly described by Bor in the year 1951. This species was re-documented in Jog falls by Ramaswamy (2001); Yadav et al. (2009). The species were re-introduced Map of the Study area, Shivamogga District, Karnataka.

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the laboratory, processed and pressed under blotting paper until the specimens completely dried. Grass species were identified through morphological characters by using standard flora (Bor, 1960; Ramaswamy, 2001; Yadav et al. 2012). In order to detect the variation in the flowers, differences in ligule, glume, lemma, palea, awn, lodicules the samples were observed under Carl zeiss Stemi 2000C Stereo microscope and Carl zeiss primo star microscopes, photographs were taken by using Axio camERc 5s camera, images were processed in Axio Vision LE(AxioVs40V4.8.20) software. The Herbarium specimen was deposited Hubbardia heptaneuron Bor. (a). Habitat, (b). A plant body, (c). in the Herbarium of the Leaf sheath, (d). Leaf blade, (e). A spikelet: 2 - 2.5 x 0.5 mm, (f). Department of Applied Lower glume-Abaxial view: 1.5-2.3 x 0.2-0.3 mm, (g). Lower glume - Adaxial view, (h). Upper glume - Abaxial view, (i). Upper glume - Botany, Kuvempu University. Adaxial view, (j). Lower lemma: 2-3 x 0.1-0.3 mm, (k). Upper lemma 1.5-2.0 x 0.1-0.3 mm, (l). Stamens (0.3 - 0.5 mm) and Stigma, (m). Caryopsis 1-1.4 x 0.2-0.4 mm. Taxonomic description Hubbardia heptaneuron heritage site. Agumbe has The periodic field survey was Bor. Annual grass. (2.5–15 cm) a tropical monsoon climate conducted here from 2016 Up to 16cm long, nodes with a warm, humid and to 2018. Global Positioning glabrous. Leaf blade (0.5–3 dense forest. This region System (GPS) was used x 0.3–0.8 cm) 0.5–3 x 15mm harbors a high level of to document the latitude, (1.5cm) long, 5–14 nerved, biodiversity comprising longitude and altitude of acute. Inflorescence an several endangered species the study plot. Collected axillary panicles. Lower of grasses and angiosperms. sample was brought to glume (2–2.5 x 0.2–0.3 mm)

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1.5–2.3 x 0.2–0.3 mm, 7 nerved, apex acute. References Upper glume 2.2 x 0.1–0.3 mm, (5 nerved) Bor, N.L. (1951). A new genus of Indian grasses. 7 nerved. Lower lemma (1.6–2.7 x 0.4–0.5 Kew bulletin 5: 385–388. mm) 2–2.3 x 0.1–0.3 mm, 7–9 nerved, acute. Chandore, A.N., K.V. Gosavi, C.S.M. Gund, R.V. Gurav & S.R.Yadav (2012). Hubbardia diandra, a Upper lemma (1.6–2.7 x 0.4–0.5 mm) 1.5–2.0 new species of Poaceae from the northern Western x 0.1–0.3 mm, 7–9 nerved, acute. Stamens Ghats with a note on tribe Hubbardiae. Kew bulletin 67: 1–5. 3, anther 0.3–0.5 mm, style 2, 0.3–0.6 mm, Hubbard, C.E. (1960). Tribus Novae, Hubbardiae. Lodicules 2. Caryopsis pointed, (0.8–1 x In: Bor N.L. (ed.). The Grasses of Burma, Ceylon, 0.2–0.3 mm ) 1–1.4 x 0.2–0.4 mm. India and Pakistan. Pergamon Press, London, 685pp. Potdar, G.G., C.B. Salunkhe & S.R. Yadav (2003). Sample examined: 15.ix.2017, India, Rediscovery of a long lost monotypic, endemic Karnataka, Shivamogga District, Agumbe, grass genus Hubbardia Bor of the Western 0 0 Ghats, pp. 317–320. In: Janarthananm, M.K. & D. central Western Ghats, 14.933 N & 76.517 E, Narasimhan (eds.) Plant Diversity, Human Welfare 620m, (3m error), coll. Yogeesh Naik H S. & and Conservation. Y.L. Krishnamurthy. Potdar, G.G., C.B. Salunkhe & S.R. Yadav (2012). Grasses of Maharashtra. Shivaji University Press, Kolhapur, 572–573. Habitat: Wet rock surface. Ramaswamy, S.N., M.R. Radhakrishna & D.A. Govindappa (2001). Flora of Shivamogga District, Karnataka. Prasaranga, Manasagangothri, Mysore. 691–692. Singh, R.K. & A. Garg (2015). A new location for Hubbardia heptaneuron (Poaceae). Taprobanica 7(2): 111–113. Yadav, S.R., A.N. Chandore, R.V. Nimbalkar & Gurav (2009). Reintroduction of Hubbardia heptaneuron Bor a critically endangered endemic grass in Western Ghats. Current Science 96: 880.

Acknowledgements We are grateful for the financial support offered by the Kuvempu University, Shankaraghatta for our studies. We are grateful to and acknowledge Dr. Gopalakrishna Bhat, Poornaprajna College, Udupi, Karnataka who helped us in the identification and confirmation of grass species.

H.S. Yogeesh Naik1 & Y.L. Krishnamurthy2 1&2 Department of Applied Botany, Kuvempu University, Jnanasahyadri, Shankaraghatta, Shimoga District, Karnataka 577451, India. Emails: 1 [email protected], 2 [email protected] (Corresponding author)

Citation: Naik, H.S.Y. & Y.L. Krishnamurthy (2020). A taxonomic note on Hubbardia heptaneuron in Shivamogga District, Karnataka. Plantasia #17, In: Herbarium sheet of Hubbardia heptaneuron Bor. Zoo’s Print 35(3): 18–20.

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At the behest of rainfall: a case of heronry formation failure in Tamil Nadu

Nesting heronry birds in the Otteri Lake (2017–2018).

Differences in climatic variables have a great birds are site specific and any disturbance influence on bird populations and it strongly apart from the influence of monsoon such affects their breeding success as well as their as anthropogenic disturbances result in survival (Newton 1998; Lande et al. 2003; abandonment of the specific site. In case of Fasola et al. 2010). Birds are popular Tamil Nadu most of the heronry birds nesting indicators of environmental changes and coincide with the onset of the northeast (NE) heronry birds, in general, are good indicators monsoon (Oct–Dec) (Subramanya 2005). for understanding the influence of monsoon Heronries tend to be active once NE and climate change on their life history (Urfi monsoon arrives and it varies across different 2011). There exists a close link between districts of Tamil Nadu. If monsoon fails for heronries and monsoon pattern, and heronry a year, then the heronry birds may avoid birds tend to abandon breeding activities if nesting and this has been reported in a few sufficient amount of water is not available in heronries in the country (Anonymous 1980; the lake/pond (Subramanya 2005). Heronry Breeden & Breeden 1982). Here we try to

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Nesting heronry birds in the Otteri Lake (2017–2018).

bring out the close association that exists intermedia, Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis, Black- between rainfall and heronry birds in the crowned Night- Nycticorax nycticorax, Otteri Lake (heronry), Kanchipuram District Indian Pond-Heron Ardeola grayii, Grey between 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 period. Heron Ardea cinerea, Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala, Oriental White Ibis/Black Otteri Lake (12.8840N, 80.0840E) is situated in headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus, the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur, Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster, Spot- Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The zoo hosts a billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis, and lake which serves as nesting ground for the Asian Openbill-Stork Anastomus oscitans heronry bird species. Every year, the heronry were recorded out of which 12 waterbirds birds arrive at this lake October–December (except Spot-billed Pelican and Asian which coincides with the NE monsoon. The Openbill Stork) were found to be nesting tank is mainly rain-fed by the NE monsoon on Barringtonia acutangula in the Otteri and when there is a failure of monsoon the Lake during December 2017 to March 2018 tank gets dried up and the nesting is totally (Table). Apart from the Barringtonia spp., a absent in that particular year. few tree species especially at the periphery of the tank also served as nesting trees. Around A total of 14 heronry birds, Eurasian Spoonbill 50 bird species have been documented in Platalea leucorodia, Little Cormorant M. niger, the lake (Frank 2017-18 pers. obs.). The Indian Cormorant P. fuscicollis, Little Egret Barringtonia spp. in this particular heronry Egretta garzetta, Intermediate Egret Ardea has been planted by the forest department

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Table 1. Heronry bird species with the active nests and no of individuals during breeding season (2017–2018 and 2018–2019).

Waterbird species IUCN Breeding No. of No. of Number of Number of status / foraging active nests active nests individuals individuals in the lake counted counted counted counted during during during during 2017–18 2018–19 2017–18 2018–19 Eurasian Spoonbill LC Breeding 23 0 47 0 Platalea leucorodia Little Cormorant LC Breeding 528 0 2842 24 Microcarbo niger Indian Cormorant LC Breeding 121 0 465 0 Phalacrocorax fuscicollis Little Egret LC Breeding 45 0 194 0 Egretta garzetta Intermediate Egret LC Breeding 19 0 73 0 Ardea intermedia Cattle Egret LC Breeding 35 0 146 67 Bubulcus ibis Black-crowned Night-Heron LC Breeding 68 0 224 0 Nycticorax nycticorax Indian Pond-Heron LC Breeding 21 0 60 0 Ardeola grayii Grey Heron LC Breeding 42 0 83 9 Ardea cinerea Painted Stork NT Breeding 2 0 15 21 Mycteria leucocephala Oriental White Ibis / Black- NT Breeding 53 0 239 0 headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus Oriental Darter NT Breeding 49 0 124 12 Anhinga melanogaster Spot-billed Pelican NT Foraging 0 0 8 6 Pelecanus philippensis Asian Openbill-Stork LC Roosting 0 0 176 0 Anastomus oscitans LC—Least Concern | NT—Near Threatened

and acts as the most important nesting tree during NE monsoon in 2018 the actual rainfall species for waterbirds. received was 352.9mm (Report on North East Monsoon 2018). Due to meagre amount of The actual rainfall received during NE rainfall during NE monsoon in 2018 and some monsoon in 2017 (Oct–Dec) in Chennai was of the cyclones missing the state during this 937.8mm compared with normal rainfall period has resulted in deficit rainfall. As 789.9mm (Balachandran et al. 2017) whereas a result, Otteri Lake failed to attract the

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behaviour of waterbirds in a heronry. From conservation perspective, Zoo authorities are taking necessary steps to increase the water holding capacity of the lake by diverting the water from other areas to maintain the water level especially during the breeding season.

References Anonymous (1980). Migratory birds back in Nellai District. The Hindu 13.iii.1980. Balachandran, S., B. Geetha, D. Maragathavel & S.B. Thampi (2017). Report on North east monsoon, Regional weather forecasting centre, Office of the deputy director general of Meteorology, Regional Meteorological centre, Chennai. Breeden, S. & B. Breeden (1982). The drought of 1979–1980 at the Keoladeo Ghana Sanctuary, Bharatpur, Rajasthan. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 79: 1–37. Fasola, M., D. Rubolini, E. Merli, E. Boncompagni & U. Bressan (2010). Long term trends of heron and egret populations in Italy, and the effects of climate, human – induced mortality and habitat on population dynamics. Population Ecology 52: 59–72. Lande, R., S. Engen & B.E. Saether (2003). Stochastic Population Dynamics in Ecology and Conservation. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 224pp. Newton, I. (1998). Population Limitation in Birds. Academic, London, 597pp. Report on North East Monsoon (2018). Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai, April 2019. Subramanya, S. (2005). Heronries of Tamil Nadu. Indian Birds 1: 126–140. Urfi, A.J. (2011). Climate change and its impacts on the Indian birds: monsoon phenology and monitoring heronry birds. Current Science 101: 1140–1142.

Acknowledgement: We thank the Director and Deputy Director of Arignar Anna Zoological park and the Tamil Sentinel-2 satellite data showing the presence Nadu Forest Department. and absence of water in the tank during January 2018 and January 2019. D. Frank Sadrack Jabaraj1 & G.V. Gopi2 1 Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, waterbird species. A few water bird species 248002, India. 2 Department of Endangered Species Management, like Little Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Grey Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248002, India. Heron, Painted Stork, Oriental Darter ,and Email: [email protected], [email protected] (corresponding author) Spot-billed Pelican visited the tank but

none of them stayed back due to the dry Citation: Jabaraj, D.F.S. & G.V. Gopi (2020). At the condition. Here, rainfall acts as one of the behest of rainfall: a case of heronry formation failure in Tamil Nadu. Bird-o-soar #43, In: Zoo’s Print 35(3): important factors in determining the nesting 21–24.

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Observation of ostracism in an albino Spotted Deer

An albino-Chital standing alone on forest road of Gomtara Range of Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India. © Dimpi Patel.

The third largest deer in India, Chital or usually consist of two or more social units Spotted Deer Axis axis (Erxleben, 1777) accompanied by individuals of mixed sex and (Mammalia: Artiodactyla: Cervidae) occupies age-classes (Sankar & Acharya 2004). plains and undulating terrain with a reddish coat in the case of fawns, spotted with Albinism is a general scientific terminology white and white underparts for the adult which describes conditions characterized by (Sankar & Acharya 2004). Chital is endemic hypopigmentation of skin resulting in snow to South Asia, occurring in India, Sri Lanka, white body with pink limbs, snout, and ears Nepal and Bangladesh (Prater 1934; (Menon 2003; Hayashi & Suzuki 2018). Albino Schaller 1967). In India, the Spotted Deer have several drawbacks in the wild are found in diversified forest types such as such as being prone to be located easily dry deciduous, moist deciduous, thorn and and accordingly turn out to be an easy prey mangrove forests (Sankar & Acharya 2004). and their unusual appearances might be the cause of rejection by other individuals of the Chitals are basically social ungulates and same species (Singh 2010). their basic social unit normally consists of an adult female, offspring from the previous Albinism in Chital has been recorded in year, and fawns (Ables 1974). The herd different parts of India (Atkinson 1932;

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References Ables, E. (1974). The Axis Deer in Texas. The Caeser Kleberg Research Programme. The Texas Agricultural Experiment Station. A & M University System. Texas, 86pp. Atkinson, G. (1932). An albino Chital (Axis axis). Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 35(4): 888. Hayashi, M. & T. Suzuki (2018). Update on albinism. Pigmentary Skin Disorders. Springer, Cham, 107–121 Menon, V. (2003). A Field Guide to Indian Mammals. Dorling Kindersley (India) Pvt. Ltd. and Penguin Book India (P) Ltd., Delhi, 201pp. Mohan, J.R. (2014). My volunteering experience at Jamshedpur Zoological Park. Zoo’s Print 29(5): 34–35. Mccardle H. (2012). Albinism in wild vertebrates. Unpublished Masters’ thesis, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas. Prabhu, C.L., S. Ayan & D. Leishangthem (2013). First photographic record of albino Chital with albino fawn (Axis axis Erxleben, 1777) in Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, India. Zoo’s Print 28(9): 8. Pradhan, R.N., P. Behera & L.A.K. Singh (2014). The Study area where described individual was first record of albino Chital (Axis axis) in Satkosia Tiger observed. Reserve, Odisha. Zoo’s Print 29(6): 15–17. Prater, S. (1934). The wild animals of the Indian Empire. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 37: 76–79. Ramsingh, B. (1942). Some experiments in albinism. Ramsingh 1942; Smielowski 1987; Singh Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 43(3): 523–524 1996; Prabhu et al. 2013; Mohan 2014; Sankar, K. & B. Acharya (2004). Spotted Deer or Chital Pradhan et al. 2014; Sayyed et al. 2015). In (Axis axis Erxleben). Ungulates of India. ENVIS Bulletin: Wildlife and Protected Areas 7(1): 171¬–180. addition to this an albino fawn was observed Sayyed, A., A. Mahabal & D.P. Shrivastava (2015). Records of Albinism in Spotted Deer Axis axis from India: standing alone on a forest road of Gomtara A Review with addition from Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh. Zoo’s Print 30(10): 9. Range of Pench National Park, Madhya Slavík, O., P. Horký & M. Maciak (2015). Ostracism of Pradesh, India (21.8310N & 79.2420E) on 1st an albino individual by a group of pigmented catfish. Plos One 10(5): e0128279. February 2014 at 1559 hours. The Schaller, G. (1967). The Deer and the Tiger. A study of Wildlife in India. The University of Chicago Press, was found to be alone for about 5 minutes Chicago, 370pp. Singh, B. (1996). The white Chital of Palain. Sanctuary and no other animals or herd were seen in Asia 16(1): 50–51 the vicinity during the observation time. The Singh, P. (2010). Partial albinism in Indian Chat Cercomela fusca. Indian Birds 5 (5): 156. previous published observations of albino Smielowski, J. (1987). Albinism in the Blue Bull or Nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus (Pallas, 1766). Journal of the Chital fawns from India show that the fawn Bombay Natural History Society 84(2): 427–429. was found either with the herd or with the

mother. (Prabhu et al. 2013; Pradhan et al. Acknowledgements: I wish to record my thanks to Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, Wildlife Institute 2014; Sayyed et al. 2015). Moreover, during of India for the permission and All India Tiger Monitoring the sighting period, no presence of any herd team (Pench group- 2014) for cooperation and help in the field. or other sympatric ungulates was noticed for about a kilometre distance. The conspecifics of the observed albino Chital fawn may have Dimpi A. Patel Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, rejected the fawn from the herd due to its Uttarakhand 248002, India. Email: [email protected] abnormal appearance (McCardle 2012; Slavik et al. 2015). To the author’s knowledge this is Citation: Patel, D.A. (2020). Observation of the first photographic evidence of ostracism ostracism in an albino Spotted Deer. Mammal Tales in an albino Spotted Deer fawn. #16, In: Zoo’s Print 35(3): 25–26.

Zoo’s Print Vol. 35 | No. 3 26 Report education World Wetlands Day celebrated at Pallikaranai Marshlands, Chennai, TN

Murray Rabindra Matriculation School, Pudupakkam students observed the day at Pallikaranai marshlands. Twenty two students from class VIII and IX took part. Mrs. Jessie Jeyakaran was the resource person. The students were divided in to 4 groups.

The resource person started the program The students observing the quality of water. with an introduction about the wetlands and its importance to the natural environment. building should not be permitted. Similarly She requested the students to record she taught the students about migratory birds following observations at the marshland at which come to our country for breeding and different points. The first station they were to avoid extreme cold. asked to observe: are there any water bodies around; variety of plants; electrical poles The students were then taken to station two erected inside; kinds of birds and building on which is nearer to the deep part of the water the horizons. body. Here the students observed different zones of the water body, watching variety The students observed that the water was of nesting birds on the trees, range of fishes deep in some places and shallow in other and the reflection of the sky on the water. places, different types of plants had grown bother water plants and plants that grow The next activity was observing the water on the land. The plants were all in different quality. Water was collected from the shades of green. Electrical power grids were marshland poured in to the test tubes and seen running through these marshlands. The then observed that it was turbid, yellowish in students observed the different types of birds colour, contains solid particles, has fishing nesting as families and looking for food. The smell and no organisms were found for naked colours of their feathers were different to eye. each other and they observed the different sounds of the birds. They identified some From these activities the students learnt of the birds, the duck, the seagulls, spoon wetlands are important for the environment, bills. They observed that there were high rise reduce impact of floods, provide habitat for buildings, 2 storied houses all around the the birds and plants and diverse living things water beds. are found in wetlands.

The resource person further explained that Submitted by: Ms. Jessie Jeyakaran. wetland should be saved and construction of Email: [email protected]

Zoo’s Print Vol. 35 | No. 3 27 Report education Celebration of World Wildlife Day at Tata Steel Zoological Park, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand

Word Wildlife Day is celebrated every year on 3 March to create awareness among the public about the values and benefits of preserving wildlife which is a very crucial part of our ecosystem. This year the day was celebrated under the theme “Sustaining all life on Earth”, encompassing all wild animal and plant species as key components of the Seema Rani delivering a lecture to senior citizen. world’s biodiversity.

On this occasion Tata Zoo in association with “Anwesha” a local NGO, organized, a group visit for senior citizens from ‘Ashirvad Bhawan Old Age Home’ under the programme “reaching out to unreachable ones”. An interaction session was organized with them prior to the zoo visit where Zoo Director, Bipul Chakrabarty welcomed and Old Age Home inmates taken around the zoo. explained them about the Tata Zoo and its prime responsibilities. Thereafter, the Apart from this, to make zoo visitors aware, author delivered a lecture on “Importance of we also displayed standees conveying conservation of wildlife for us with special messages to save/ conserve the animals reference to the captive animals”. She such as parakeets/Indian star tortoise/ tigers/ also explained them about the relation elephants etc. which are under threat due to between plants, animals and human beings the poaching and illegal wildlife trade. to understand the fact that “saving of one animal can save another”. This was followed by “Keeper talk on Tiger” near tiger enclosure led by S.K. Mahato, Curator, Tata Zoo and his team. The Secretary of Anwesha, Alpana Submitted by: Dr. Seema Rani, Biologist Bhatacharya was also present alongwith her and Education Officer, Tata Steel Zoological Park, Jamshedpur. Email: team members. [email protected]

Zoo’s Print Vol. 35 | No. 3 28 Communicating science for conservation

ZOO’S PRINT Publication Guidelines Publication Information

ZOO’S PRINT, ISSN 0973-2543 We welcome articles from the conservation community Published at: Coimbatore of all SAARC countries, including , Bang- Copyright: © Zoo Outreach Organisation ladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Owner: Zoo Outreach Organisation, 12, Lanka and other tropical countries if relevant to SAARC Thiruvannamalai Nagar, Saravanampatti - Kalapatti countries’ problems and potential. Road, Saravanampatti, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641035, India. Type — Articles of semi-scientific or technical nature. News, notes, announcements of interest to conserva- tion community and personal opinion pieces. Editor: Sanjay Molur Associate Editor: Daniel B. Ayyachamy Feature articles — articles of a conjectural nature — Managing Editors: Latha G. Ravikumar & opinions, theoretical, subjective. B. Ravichandran Editorial Assistants: R. Marimuthu & S. Radhika Case reports: case studies or notes, short factual Copy Editor: Sapna Molur reports and descriptions. Zoo Outreach Organisation Trust Committee News and announcements — short items of news or and Sr. Staff announcements of interest to zoo and wildlife commu- Managing Trustee: Late Sally R. Walker nity Executive Director Trustee: R.V. Sanjay Molur Finance Director Trustee: Latha G. Ravikumar Cartoons, puzzles, crossword and stories Scientist: B.A. Daniel Researcher: R. Marimuthu, Priyanka Iyer Subject matter: Captive breeding, (wild) animal Other staff: B. Ravichandran, K. Geetha, S. Radhika, husbandry and management, wildlife management, Arul Jagadish, K. Raveendran, S. Sarojamma field notes, conservation biology, population dynamics, population genetics, conservation education and inter- ZOO’S PRINT magazine is informal and newsy as pretation, wild animal welfare, conservation of flora, opposed to a scientific publication. ZOO’S PRINT natural history and history of zoos. Articles on rare magazine sometimes includes semi-scientific and breeds of domestic animals are also considered. technical articles which are reviewed only for factual errors, not peer-reviewed. Source: Zoos, breeding facilities, holding facilities, rescue centres, research institutes, wildlife depart- Address ments, wildlife protected areas, bioparks, conservation Zoo Outreach Organisation centres, botanic gardens, museums, universities, etc. Post Box 5912, 12, Thiruvannamalai Nagar, Individuals interested in conservation with information Saravanampatti - Kalapatti Road, Saravanampatti, and opinions to share can submit articles ZOOS’ PRINT Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641035, India magazine. Phone: +91 9385339862 & 9385339863 E-mail: [email protected] Manuscript requirements Website: www.zoosprint.zooreach.org, Articles should by typed into a Word format and www.zooreach.org emailed to [email protected]. Avoid indents, all caps or any other fancy typesetting. You may send photos, illustrations, tables.

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International Otter Survival Fund WORLD OTTER DAY #WorldOtterDay, Wednesday 27 May 2020

CELEBRATE OTTERS - RAISE AWARENESS - EDUCATE - FUNDRAISE - PROTECT

A new year and a new decade is upon us and what a great time to put some thoughts together and plan what YOU want to do to support IOSF’s 2020 #WorldOtterDay.

It’s that all important day of the year for otters when we raise these fascinating animals across the globe and involve as many people as possible. It is the time to show how much you care.

All 13 otter species worldwide are still listed on the Red List of Threatened Species and we continue to work hard to bring about changes, in particular with regard to the illegal trade for fur and pets, as well as other challenges that otters face in many countries such as environmental impact of habitat loss and the dangers of roads.

There are many different ways you can help - here are some examples: • To do a fundraiser • Give a talk about otters at school • Raise awareness with posters about otters • Post your support on social media using the all important #WorldOtterDay • Present your research to fellow students and/or colleagues • Hold an otter art competition.

The list is as endless as your imagination, so let it go and encourage as many other people as you can, to take part.

We want to know what you are going to do, so please tell us and we will add your #WorldOtterDay event to our world map, which we will be updating regularly (click here or on the map below to view). Just email [email protected]

There are resources available to download from our website for participants to use some of which are being updated, so look out for changes as they happen. You will find these on our Media/Resources pages here

World Otter Day Grants IOSF is again delighted to be offering three grants of £100 each towards the cost of putting on an event or carrying out some education work for #WorldOtterDay.

Applications must include the following: Name of applicant, Organisation, if applicable, Address of applicant, Brief description of what you are planning to do, how and where, What would you do with the £100 grant?

Please submit your application here no later than Friday 27th March 2020 and the winning applicants will be announced on Friday 3rd April 2020.